"Martain Rattler" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ballantyne R.M)

have regained the ship; but the wind increased at that moment, and blew in a
squall off-shore, which carried him farther out despite his utmost efforts.
Seeing that all further attempts were useless, Martin stood up and waved his
hand to Bob Croaker, shouting as he did so, "Never mind, Bob, I'll make for the
South Point. Run round and meet me, and we'll row back together."
The South Point was a low cape of land which stretched a considerable distance
out to sea, about three miles to the southward of Bilton harbour. It formed a
large bay, across which, in ordinary weather, a small boat might be rowed in
safety. Martin Rattler was well known at the seaport as a strong and fearless
boy, so that no apprehension was entertained for his safety by those who saw him
blown away. Bob Croaker immediately started for the point on foot, a distance of
about four miles by land: and the crew of the Firefty were so busied with their
stranded vessel that they took no notice of the doings of the boys.
But the weather now became more and more stormy. Thick clouds gathered on the
horizon. The wind began to blow with steady violence, and shifted a couple of
points to the southward, so that Martin found it impossible to keep straight for
the Point. Still, he worked perseveringly at his single oar, and sculled rapidly
over the sea; but as he approached the Point, he soon perceived that no effort
of which he was capable would enable him to gain it. But Martin's heart was
stout. He strove with all the energy of hope until the Point was passed; and
then, turning the head of his little boat towards it, he strove with all the
energy of despair, until he fell down exhausted. The wind and tide swept him
rapidly out to sea, and when his terrified comrade reached the point, the little
boat was but a speck on the seaward horizon.
Well was it then for Martin Rattler that a friendly heart beat for him on board
the Firefly. Bob Croaker carried the news to the town, but no one was found
daring enough to risk his life out in a boat on that stormy evening. The little
punt had been long out of sight ere the news reached them, and the wind had
increased to a gale. But Barney O'Flannagan. questioned Bob Croaker closely, and
took particular note of the point of the compass at which Martin had
disappeared; and when the Firefly at length got under way, he climbed to the
fore-top cross-trees, and stood there scanning the horizon with an anxious eye.
It was getting dark, and a feeling of despair began to creep over the seaman's
heart as he gazed round the wide expanse of water, on which nothing was to be
seen except the white foam that crested the rising billows.
"Starboard, hard !" he shouted suddenly.
"Starboard it is! " replied the man at the wheel, with prompt obedience.
In another moment Barney slid down the backstay and stood on the deck, while the
ship rounded to, and narrowly missed striking a small boat that floated keel up
on the water. There was no cry from the boat; and it might have been passed as a
mere wreck had not the lynx-eyed Barney noticed a dark object clinging to it.
"Lower away a boat, lads," cried the Irishman, springing overboard; and the
words had scarcely passed his lips when the water closed over his head.
The Firefly was hove to, a boat was lowered and rowed towards Barney, whose
strong voice guided his shipmates towards him. In less than a quarter of an hour
the bold sailor and his young friend Martin Rattler were safe on board, and the
ship's head was again turned out to sea.
It was full half an hour before Martin was restored to consciousness in the
forecastle, to which his deliverer had conveyed him.
"Musha, lad, but ye're booked for the blue wather now, an' no mistake!" said